Miami Dolphins claim former Jets pass-rusher Quinton Coples

Mike Tannenbaum saw enough in Quinton Coples to take him in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Both have since been fired by the Jets. Now Coples will try to help save Tannenbaum’s first season in Miami.

Tannenbaum and his personnel department claimed Coples on Tuesday, adding the underachieving defensive end who was waived by New York the day before. The Dolphins cut little-used corner Zack Bowman to make room.

Coples, selected by the Jets with the 16th overall pick in 2012, never panned out. He had just 16.5 sacks for New York in four seasons. He also was Tannenbaum’s last first-round pick for the Jets; New York fired Tannenbaum the following offseason.

Part of Coples’ struggles might have been because of the Jets’ scheme. They used him as a 3-4 linebacker — ineffectively — and first-year coach Todd Bowles became so disillusioned that Coples played just 20 total snaps in the past three games. His commitment to the game also has been questioned. At 6-6 and 290 pounds, he is more of a 4-3 defensive end, which is how Miami presumably will use him.

Coples is under contract through 2016, but that $7.8 million fifth-year option is guaranteed only in the case of injury.

The Dolphins certainly need a pass-rusher because Cameron Wake is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.